Markam County Overview
Overview
In Chinese: 芒康县
In Pinyin: Máng Kāng Xiàn
Administrative Division Code : 542129;
Post Code : 854500
Phone Area Code :0895
The Prefix of Motor Vehicle License Plate : 藏B
The Prefix of Citizen Identity Card Number: 542129
Area Coverage: 11431 square kilometers;
Population : 90,000 persons (by the end of 2010);
Seat of Government: Gatuo Town
Markam County locates in the boundary of Tibet, Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces and east of Qamdo Prefecture of Tibet. It not only has excellent natural resources, but also has great transportation advantages. For example, G318 and G214 National Highway pass through it. From the history, Markam is an important place on the Tea Horse Ancient Road. And it belongs to the hinterland of Great Shangri-la Eco-Tourism Area. Thus, it has a great potential for developing tourism. If you travel to Tibet with a Sichuan Tibet Overland Tour, you cannot miss it!
In 2017, local government in Markam County will develop tourism to welcome 2018 Tea Horse Ancient Road Tourism Festival. It will build a five-star hotel with SPA service in the nearby town to attract more tourists for better travel experience. In addition, the local government plans to build a Chateau on the G318 National Highway, so the tourists who drive to Tibet can taste local wine, food and experience folk customs there.
Attractions of Markam County
Rock Carvings: Eight rock carvings found in the Tibet autonomous region's Markham county have been confirmed as dating to the Tibetan Tubo Kingdom more than 1,000 years ago, according to the county's cultural relics bureau.
A survey of the archaeological finds began in the second half of last year and was carried out by four experts from Sichuan University's Tibetology Institute while working alongside representatives from the county's cultural relics and tourism bureaus. "More than 20 people took part in the survey, as the carvings are distributed across eight sites in the county's three townships," said He Fanhua, from the cultural relics bureau. "Our bureau will now propose to higher cultural relics units that measures be taken to protect the petroglyphs." He said preservation was essential because some of the petroglyphs are located less than 600 meters from the nearest villages. Many stone carvings have been uncovered in Markham county over the years, including a giant statue of the Vairochana Buddha found in 2011 - one of the three biggest in the whole of Tibet. Zhang Yanqing, or Palchen Dorjee, a professor at Sichuan University's Tibetology Institute, said the petroglyphs dated to either the reign of Tibetan King Trisong Detsan (AD 755-797) or Tride Songtsan (AD 798-815). "They include cliffside carvings, circular engraved statues, ancient Tibetan texts, and Mani stones," he said. The carvings reflect the long history of cultural exchange in the region and are influenced by a number of styles ranging from Indian to Chinese, according to Zhang. "As both Buddhist art and a historical find, these carvings are of great value and should be protected," he added.
Yanjing Catholic Church: In this region, there is the only Catholic church of Tibet, Yanjing Catholic Church in Markham (Mangkang) County. Historically, the noted Tea and Horse Ancient Road pass through Chamdo, leaving everlasting mystery. Anyway, spectacular natural landscape and rich cultural deposit together make the irresistible charm of Chamdo.
Quzika Hot Spring: Quzika Hot Spring(曲孜卡温泉), Markam County,Qamdo Prefecture, Tibet Tibetan Aut. Region.
Jueba Mountain: Jueba Mountain(觉巴山), within the county, Markam County,Qamdo Prefecture, Tibet Tibetan Aut. Region.
Duolarizhui Scenic Resort: Duolarizhui Scenic Resort(多拉日追), Ancient Ruins, Duolarizhui Scenic Resort, Zongxi Township, Markam County,Qamdo Prefecture, Tibet Tibetan Aut. Region.
Langba Langzeng Temple: Langba Langzeng Temple(朗巴郎增寺), Religious Sites, Randui Village, Bangda Township.
Salt Wells and Fields of Changdu: Salt Wells and Fields of Changdu(昌都盐井盐田), Geologic Formations, Naxi Township.
Dameiyong Snow Mountain: Dameiyong Snow Mountain(达美拥雪山), Mountains, Within the County.
Qamdo Folk Custom in Tibet
Qamdo Folk Custom in Tibet – Dressing
Qamdo dressing is representative a regional culture and spirit. People in Qamdo Prefecture are called Kangba people. Men dress themselves very vigorous and unrestrained, bold and uninhibited. They prefer to wear long Tibetan knife, or other weapons. Their clothes are usually made of the silks and satins, cloth, and fabric, etc, and the edges are usually embroidered with otter's skin, tiger's skin, or leopard's skin, etc. Ladies dress themselves very graceful with as many gold and silver as possible, such as red coral earrings, coral, agate, and amber. They usually wear red coral which embroidered the silver and bronze on their forehead. It is said that the red coral was once wore by the imperial concubine of King Gesar. It looks very luxuriant and beautiful.
Qamdo Folk Custom in Tibet – Festival
Most of the festivals in Qamdo Prefecture are the same with other regions in Tibet Autonomous Region. But some festivals in Qamdo Prefecture are unique and distinctive. For example, the Shoton Festival and Wangkor Festivals are highly celebrated in Lhasa city and other regions in Tibet, but both of them are not available in Qamdo Prefecture.
With the age-old and profound history and tradition, Qamdo folk customs related to the business activities in Qamdo Prefecture are very popular and famous, such as Tsongqyue Festival. In 1326, one great master of Kagyu Sect appointed June 15th according to Tibetan calendar to celebrate the completion of the ancestral monastery of Kagyu Sect. The religious ceremonies were greatly held at that time. It is said that people would transact their business very successfully if they worship during Tsongqyue Festival. Therefore Tsongqyue Festival gradually became a very popular and splendid festival in Qamdo Prefecture in Tibet.
Qamdo Folk Custom in Tibet – Dance
Zhuo Dance
Qamdo "Zhuo Dance" is also called Qamdo "Guozhuang Dance". Qamdo "Guozhuang Dance" is showed by large numbers of people together. It is characteristic of the movements of the foot. It is the most welcomed dance in Qamdo Prefecture.
Tingqying Repa Dance
Tingqying Repa Dance is a comprehensive performance of speaking, singing, dancing, acrobatics and breathing technique. Wuto Repa Dance is most age-old dance in all the schools of Tingqying Repa Dance.
Mangkang Chord Dance
Mangkang Chord Dance is performed by many men and women together. A man will dance while play the urheen. The women will dance with the tune and chime in with men's songs together.
Qamdo Folk Custom in Tibet – Religion
Tibet Buddhism was greatly learned in Qamdo Prefecture since the 11th century. Before the introduction of Tibet Buddhism, Qamdo people mainly believed the natural deities. They thought that the deities exist everywhere in their life and fight with the devils for them. Hence they highly respected the deities and worship them very much.
Besides, people also believed the huge rocks, especially the white rock. They believed that the white rock is the essence of the snow mountain. They usually put the white stones on their roof, Manidui, or windowsill, etc.
Qamdo Folk Custom in Tibet – Taboos
The marmot was said to be the pet of the gnome's. Hence hunting the marmot is not allowed in Qamdo Prefecture. They do not eat dogs, monkeys, bears, and other animals which have the paws.
Transportation
It not only has excellent natural resources, but also has great transportation advantages in Markam County. For example, G318 and G214 National Highway pass through it. From the history, Markam is an important place on the Tea Horse Ancient Road. And it belongs to the hinterland of Great Shangri-la Eco-Tourism Area. In addition, the local government plans to build a Chateau on the G318 National Highway.
Tips:
1. As well as the Tibet Entry Permit, you also need to apply for Border Permit for traveling as this destination lies near the Chinese territory boundary.
2. Owing to the long distance and circuitous route, it is better to head for the attraction in the early morning.
3.There are inns and restaurant, where you can have a rest and a bite to eat. you can also take a picnic if you like.
4. May and September is the best time of year to visit.
5. As there is a large temperature gap between daytime and night, it is highly recommended to take along one or two pieces of thermal clothing.
